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R. J. ARNOUIL Dec. 17, 1929.

HOOD FASTENER Filed June 27. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet liar] R. J. ARNOUlL Dec. 17, 1929.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOOD FASTENER Application led June 27, 1928, Serial No. 288,768, and in. France .Tuly 4, 1927.

The present invention relates to an instantaneous attaching device by which two pieces can be either joined together or released. It is chiefly applicable to the rapid closing and opening of motor vehicle hoods.

The said attaching arrangement essentially comprises two elements of which one is secured to one of the pieces to be assembled, for instance the vehicle frame, and the other is secured to the second piece to be assembled,

for instance the hood; the said elements iitting into one another in the closing position. Elastic means are disposed between the two elements, in such manner as to elect the blocking or jamming of the said elements, and hence to facilitate the assembling of the two pieces.

' Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that one of the said elements car ries a strap in which is engaged the second element when the apparatus is closed.

A further features of the invention resides in the fact that the two elements each carry a plate spring so disposed that in the clos- 5 ing position the two springs are mutually engaged, similar to the meshing of gear teeth,`

and exercise upon one another an elastic thrust by which the device is held in position.

K The following description with reference to the appended drawings, which are given by way of example, shows the manner in which the said invention may be carried into efect.

Figure l is a vertical section of two elements of the attaching arrangement, in their separated position.

Figure 2 is a view analogous to Figure l, but illustrating the closing position.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of two modifications of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of another form of the element secured to the vehicle frame.

Figure 7 is a modification of the apparatus shown in Figure 6 in vertical section on the line 7-7 of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 As observed in Figures l to 3, one of the elements a consists of a rod or strip which is secured to the vehicle frame at any suitable point, and which carries a plate spring c secured at its end c1 to the support a. The other element consists of a plate c riveted or otherwise secured to the inner face of the hood 7 and attached to a strap s. At the upper part of the plate c is mounted the end t1 of a plate spring t. The two springs c and t are as shown in the drawing disposed in opposite directions, and have the form of pointed ends or teeth, in such manner that when the element a has been engaged in the strap s when the hood is lowered, the spring t may clear the spring c, the two springs remaining in contact and being placed together by their back part and exercising a strong pressure upon one another by which the strap s (an'd'hence the hood r) is secured tothe fixed strip a.

As will be observed, the said attaching device can be placed in position in a very simple manner, since it will suliice to lower the hood while placing the strap s upon the liXed strip a, to obtain the closing or inversely to raise up the hood to obtain the opening.

The two springs c and 1f which have the Q form of pointed ends or teeth, will prevent inadvertent release or improper raising of the hood.

In theform of construction shown in Figure 4, the strap s carries a toothed crosspiece f engaging the toothed rear face of the rod a. The plate spring c is compressed by an eccentric or cam d pivoted on an axle Z mounted on the strap s and adapted to be placed in tension by a controlling arm (y.

It will be observed that after lowering the hood in such manner that the strap s is placed upon the rod a, the members f and a can be contacted by simply lowering the handle g, the pressure thus obtained being an elastic pressure.

In the modification shown in Figure 5, the cross-piece f is engaged in one of the notches of the stationary element a, and the spring t is mounted on the element g secured to 'the hood r.

The element or strip a, instead of being1 toothed or notched, may be made with a smooth face, as shown in Figure 6.

The element a, instead of being rigidly secured tothe vehicle frame, may also be mounted in an elastic manner, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the elasticity beingvobtained by a spring a which absorbs the vibrations Y or'movements of the hood due to thejarringl v latch post, and complementary resilient latching` means carried by said stirrup said com` -v plementary resilient latching means being formed to allow play in a vertical. direction wherebyA strain o'n the hinges of" said fasten`` ing device is diminished and simultaneously allow play in a horizontal plane whereby closing and adjustment of said fasteningdevice is facilitated.y n v 2. Ina fastenin'gdevice for the-hoods ofl automobiles the combinationof al vertically y disposed stationary latchfpostga' movable" looseV fitting stir-rup formedY tombeslidablyj li'ttedoverl said latch vpost carried'by said hood, resilient latcliing means carried'byfsaid latch post,k and complementary "resilient latohing means Y carried by said stirrup,fY said complementary resilient means having- .corJ tact surfaces oblique'ly disposed' withjrespect to said latch post to allow playin the vertical direction whereby strain on the hinges of said hood Y is' diminished and simultaneously allow play in a horizontal plane wherebyV closing and adjustment of said `fasteningde'- vice is facilitated. I y

3.v In aA fasteningydevice" for the liodds of automobiles the 'combination lofi a vrtieally disposed stationary' latch post;1 a movable loose'fitting stirrup for'ine'd to be" slidably fitted' over said latch' post-e earri'edbysaid hood; a curved leaf spring carried by 'saidp'st having a' surface' obliqu'ely 'dispsedfwitlf ref' carried by said stirrup having a surf'zice` obs liquely disposed with respect to s'aid post and p'ositioried4 tofcntact witli and' first- ROGER JEAN ARNOUIL.

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